Now in its 15th year, Plymouth Pirates Weekend is taking place across the waterfront this weekend – and it will drop anchor at Royal William Yard this Saturday and Sunday (9th and 10th May), offering a treasure trove of free family activities. From circus skills and a daring treasure hunt, to live music with grub and grog aplenty, there is plenty of for all ages to discover and do.

Activities Ahoy!

From 10am–3pm throughout the weekend, visitors can enjoy a host of free entertainment on The Green:

• Treasure hunt: Grab a map and embark on a daring quest around Royal William Yard to uncover hidden treasure and claim your bounty
• Circus skills: Test your mettle with a pirate twist – walk the plank, juggle like an octopus, and find your sea legs on the roller bowler
• Live music: Saturday 9th May - Live DJ Performance – Aldo Vanucci. Sunday 10th May – 10:30-11:30am: surprise act! 12–1pm: Rue, 1:30–2:30pm: Anything but Francis
• Craft zone: Create your own pirate mask, take part in pirate puzzles and get creative with maritime crafts
• Face painting: Transform into a fearsome pirate or a mystical mermaid
• Soft archery and garden games: Delivered by Plymouth sports provider, High 5
• RNLI pop-up: On Sunday 10th May (10am–3pm), meet the heroes of the sea from Plymouth Lifeboat Station
• Message in a bottle (Sunday): Can you find them all? Explore Royal William Yard and uncover hidden messages from Bistrot Pierre.

Around Royal William Yard

The historic destination has even more to offer throughout the weekend:

• In Arcade: Head to Brewhouse for more fun, with pop-up stands and activities throughout the weekend. On Sunday 10th May (10am–3pm), the Barbers Against Prostate Cancer pop-up takes place in Arcade, raising awareness for an important cause alongside the festivities.
• Everyman Cinema: Set sail for cinematic adventure with a special screening of Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl on Sunday 10th May from 4.45pm. Book tickets here
• Pebble: Every children’s purchase of £25 or over at Pebble in Arcade comes with a free pirate goody bag. Available Saturday and Sunday only.
• Policing Plymouth exhibition: Running at Royal William Yard until 10th May, the Museum of Policing in Devon & Cornwall presents Policing Plymouth 1892 to 1929 – an exhibition exploring how early policing developed across Plymouth’s three towns, from the late Victorian era through to the Roaring Twenties. Open 11am–4pm daily.

Grub and Grog

Bookend the day with a hearty breakfast or settle in for dinner – or grab lunch, snacks or drinks at one of the Yard’s waterfront restaurants and bars. For those spending the day on The Green, QR codes will make it easy to order takeaway directly from your chosen spot.

Bistrot Pierre, Wagamama, Le Vignoble, Seco Lounge, The Shack, Steel Brew, DockSide Coffee Bar, BLOCK Café and Wildwood all have outdoor seating for alfresco dining with views across the water – making Pirates Weekend the perfect excuse for a long afternoon by the water. Families with young crew members should also look out for Wildwood’s special pirate-themed kids’ menu, with kids eating for £1 throughout the weekend (T&Cs apply).

Getting here

Local road diversions remain in place in the Stonehouse area and those planning a visit are encouraged to plan their journey in advance. Several great options make getting to Royal William Yard straightforward:

• FREE ferry service: Buccaneers can hop aboard Plymouth Boat Trips’ ferry, setting sail from the Barbican to drop anchor at Royal William Yard Marina – free of charge and funded by Plymouth Waterfront Partnership. Departing the Barbican for Royal William Yard at quarter past the hour: 09:15, 10:15, 11:15, 12:15, 13:15, 14:15, 15:15, 16:15, 17:15, 18:15. Departing Royal William Yard for the Barbican at quarter to the hour: 08:45, 09:45, 10:45, 11:45, 12:45, 13:45, 14:45, 15:45, 16:45, 17:45.
• FREE shuttle bus: Travel between the Barbican and the Royal William Yard and the Stonehouse peninsula for free this weekend courtesy of Plymouth CityBus. Take the FREE Aargh and Ride (Service 25P) from the Barbican to Brewery Tap stop in Stonehouse, then take the FREE connection 34A service which runs every half an hour to take you to the Royal William Yard. The Shuttle Bus service courtesy of Plymouth CityBus will operate from 11:03 until 17:35 on Saturday (9 May) and from 12:33 until 18:20 on Sunday (10 May), running every 45 minutes.
• On foot: Royal William Yard is around 30 minutes’ walk from Plymouth City Centre and sits directly on the South West Coast Path, making the journey part of the experience
• Park and stride: Stonehouse Creek car park – over 200 spaces, pay and display, around a 10-minute walk from the Yard – is open to the public at weekends
• By bike: The Yard has plenty of lock-up space for bikes and a nearby Beryl e-bike bay on Cremyll Street
• By car: Vehicle access remains available via the temporary diversion route through Stonehouse, but drivers should allow extra time and be aware that the car park fills up quickly
• Discover all the ways to get to Royal William Yard at royalwilliamyard.com/visit.

Swashbuckling fun for all

Made possible with thanks to the businesses of the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, Plymouth Pirates Weekend transforms the waterfront, from Sutton Harbour, to the Barbican, from West Hoe to the Royal William Yard and Stonehouse peninsula into a swashbuckling fun filled weekend for all the family.

Sarah Gibson, CEO, Plymouth Waterfront Partnership: “Marking its 15th year in 2026, Pirates Weekend is a brilliant event for all the family and really celebrates the maritime connections Plymouth has as Britain’s Ocean’s City and home of the UK’s first National Marine Park. Businesses across the waterfront are providing entertainment and fun in our historic quaysides attracting visitors from across the South West, helping to build our city’s reputation as a cool destination to enjoy, live and work. Come join us and make this weekend an adventure in Plymouth.”

Ben Squire, Owner of Plymouth Boat Trips, said: “We’re proud to be supporting the community, and we’re committed to keeping residents, businesses and visitors connected. Thanks to Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, we’ve adapted our Waterlink Ferry service to include a free hourly shuttle for Pirates Weekend – making it easier than ever to stay connected and enjoy the waterfront.”

Pirates Weekend extends across Plymouth’s waterfront, including beyond Royal William Yard to Sutton Harbour, the Barbican and West Hoe – it’s a great excuse to explore the whole area with your pirate crew! For the full programme of events, visit the main Pirates Weekend website.

For further information about Royal William Yard’s activities, visit www.royalwilliamyard.com/pirates